Spring is here and, before you tackle your home and garden, hear what the pros have to say about tips, trends, tools and must-haves to get your yard in enviable shape. Plus, learn about what's new for the season.
Springhouse Gardens
6041 Harrodsburg Rd
Nicholasville, KY 40356
(859) 224-1417
Services: Retail outlet and landscape design and installation
Gardening Must-Have: Felco Pruning Shears or a Weeding Knife. “You can do anything with a good set of pruning shears,” says owner Richard Weber. “The weeding knife is an all-purpose tool: you can plant bulbs, dislodge weeds or break up roots in a potted plant before it goes in the ground.”
Trends: Color/plants in bloom, tropical plants.
What’s New: Mystical series of hypericum (the plant from which St. John’s Wort is distilled), new Knockout Roses in Sunny (yellow) and Double Pink.
Tips: For gardeners, Weber says, “Figure out the site, do some detective work and determine sun and shade, soil quality and size of the area. Those are the things we should be asking when people come in.” He also notes there are many reasons to landscape and one is resale value—getting a leg up in the real estate market can depend on “curb appeal” but Weber notes that homeowners looking for a boost shouldn’t go overboard. “Too much is a detriment because people think there will be too much maintenance.”
Specialties: Weber has a masters degree in Landscape Architecture and the Springhouse Gardens location features six-and-a-half acres of park-like grounds that have been crafted into various garden spaces to demonstrate how the plants that can be purchased at the garden center will appear “outside the pot.” Weber says education and personal service are two specialties of Springhouse. “Hopefully (people) will learn from the staff and will walk the grounds to find examples. People even come here just to walk around or to bring company.” He also notes that hard-to-find plants are featured, “It used to be that for some out of the ordinary, unique and unusual plants…you had to do mail order. You can get them here now.” Weber has also established himself as an information source through his Saturday talk show on 630 WLAP AM from 9-10 a.m. “People can call or email in any questions and we’ll answer them on the air.” Springhouse Gardens was named a “Top 100 Revolutionary Garden Business” for 2008 by Today’s Garden Center Magazine.
Wilson Nurseries Incorporated
3690 E West Connector Road/Route 676 (Bypass)
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 223-1488
Services: Retail garden shop featuring Kentucky farm-grown flowers, shrubs and trees and a gift shop complete with gardening apparel, books, gourmet culinary items and herbal teas. The nursery also offers full-service landscape design and installation but, owner Jennifer Wilson notes, for people who just need a little help: “We offer quick design as well. People can just bring in a digital camera with photos of the space and one of our staff will take a look at the scale, shop with them for a few minutes and sketch out some ideas.”
Garden Must-Haves: “The first thing that comes to my mind is a really good spade,” said Wilson. “Not a big shovel—a good spade that you can get in and dig the smaller holes. It’s especially handy for women and nowadays they are ergonomically correct and easier to use.”
Trends: “Where were headed is into a little more ‘hardscape,’ meaning pavers, retaining walls, rock walls, flagstone—living spaces and walkways that are not just a slab of concrete that have a lot more style,” says Wilson. “I definitely think there is a trend toward wanting more color…(customers) want something that provides color, even in a shrub. Container gardening is going to continue to grow and the containers are getting better and better all the time.”
What’s New: “Echinacea is a perennial group that has really blossomed in the last three or four years. At first it was only purple, then there was white but now you can shop from 10 colors: orange, pink, yellow,” says Wilson, who also notes coral bells now are available in lots of new varieties. “Those are both considered a collection, and people will come in and look for all of them over the course of a year!”
Tips: “Just spend a little bit of time and be willing to do some trial and error. Try to learn new things. We spend a lot of time trying to help folks,” says Wilson. “Also, it’s hard but, start with a plan. It saves so much time and money. Have some idea of the scale.”
Specialties: “Our claim to fame is that we have what would be considered the largest nursery in Central Kentucky—we have 22 acres,” says Wilson. In addition to the nursery and garden center, the gift shop makes for a unique shopping experience, but Wilson indicates that the growing operation is perhaps the most defining feature. “We are growers. In all areas, we grow what we sell. We grow probably 100 percent of our annuals and perennials, 300 varieties of herbs, vegetables—certified organic—and we also have a full line of shrubs and balled and burlapped trees—all are from 500 acre farm in Shelbyville,” she said. “Because our plants are local and have grown in the soil, they thrive.”
King’s Gardens
3090 Brannon Rd
Nicholasville, KY 40356
(859) 272-7077
Services: “The biggest thing is selling plants, ‘color’ like annuals, perennials and flowering shrubs,” says owner Steve King. “But we also have the gift shop, mulch—and we offer landscape installation and design.” Residential maintenance is also available through King’s Gardens.
Garden Must-Haves: King says, “A good pair of pruners is the first thing that comes to mind. All of our people have them and you can use them for anything.” He also notes that everyone needs a helping hand—in the form of a good shovel and a sturdy pair of gloves.
Trends: “Sustainability is a big thing. Everybody is getting on board with ‘eco’ and ‘green,’ and, of course, we’re there.” King notes the use of alternative treatments to chemicals as a typical approach to going green, but adds there are other components. “We’ll be carrying rain barrels this year, composters, and we’ve always carried native plants.”
What’s New: “The big thing is mixed pots and containers—and they are getting bigger every year,” says King. “And we like to use foliage more than flowers.” King cites Phoriums as a good example of popular foliage (it has a a spiky texture and a lot of color that augments container arrangements).
Tips: King’s tips hearken back to the “green concerns.” He says, “Learn your soil, try to keep the soil active, don’t use a lot of chemicals—it kills the soil.” Keeping the soil “alive” involves cutting back on harsh chemicals that can kill living bacteria and instead finding ways to amend, or fill in, the soil’s weaker points naturally.
Specialties: “The time we spend with customers and sharing our knowledge of plants and finding what works well for the individual situation—assessing the needs of the customer is important,” says King. “We also work hard to carry quality plants. We spend time at nurseries trying to select the plants that are most healthy and choosing those that aren’t exotic.” Along the lines of information and education, people looking for a little bit of help from home can visit the Web site and sign up for a monthly email newsletter that contains tips, hints and coupons.
Louis’ Flower Power Shop-Harrodsburg Rd.
101 Springdale Dr.
Nicholasville, KY 40356
(859) 219-3299
Services: Landscape design and retail shop including trees and shrubs and garden accessories.
Gardening Must-Have: “Felco Pruners. They are the best, you can get replacement parts for any part that breaks or wears out. I have my grandfather’s pair and they’re probably 60 years old!” says Barnes. “Also, a good pair of garden gloves. Doesn’t matter what brand,” she says. As long as they cover and protect hands.
Trends: “Nostalgia is coming back. We notice that people are building Victorian-style houses and now they’re looking for (garden) stuff that fits in.” Barnes also notes the trend toward education. “Younger gardeners want to learn. They ask a lot of questions. For example, they look for non-invasive native plants or shrubs like Blueberries that can multi-task.” Color also continues to be a growing trend, according to Barnes.
What’s New: We’re bringing in some new, different boxwoods and magnolias to see how they do,” she said.
Tips: For any gardener, “Don’t buy just because something is on sale. It may be out of season,” says Barnes. “Take time to do some research when you buy and you’ll have a better chance of success; you’ll enjoy it more.” For those considering vegetable gardening: “Try going to the extension office if you’re going to try vegetables and get the brochures. Learn what to expect.”
Specialties: “We specialize in the very whimsical things—fairy gardens (gardens in miniature), Celtic-themed garden ornaments, fairytale and fantasy things as well.” They also offer a variety of unique specialty planters and baskets, small gardens, and container gardens. “We also specialize in sort of unusual perennials and Hostas and shade plants.”
Louis’ Flower Power Shop-Tates Creek
3391 Tates Creek Rd.
Lexington, KY 40502
(859) 266-6889
Services: Design consulting, retail sales of annuals, perennials, herb and vegetable plants, garden ornaments.
Gardening Must-Have: “Basic gardening tools that have stood the test of time” are the ones to keep, says Louis Hillenmeyer, owner of Louis’ Flower Power Shops. But “small improvements have been made for comfort over the years, and there are also lots of new colors available in tools, accessories—even garden hoses.”
Trends: “More than a porch” in the outdoors, says Hillenmeyer, is the trend. “The old Weber grille is pass√à. Outdoor rooms with sophisticated grills are in. You can now do anything outside that you can do inside the kitchen.” Hillenmeyer also addressed a small break from gardening tradition in Lexington. Container planting has always been popular, but tends to be plants like geraniums and vines. “You’re starting to see blending and mixing plants like herbs in with the others.” Another aspect of container planting has emerged with the increase in downtown living and condominium spaces. “Size of plant matter has been scaled back to accommodate planting in smaller lots and on patios and decks.”
What’s New: In a word, hybrids. “Knockout Roses blazed a trail for the industry,” Hillenmeyer comments. “New ones are being introduced all the time.” And, he says, breeders have been asking the question, “What’s inside?” the DNA. Once that’s figured out, a plant can be bred to be more perfect (fewer spots, a wider variety of colors or more/longer blooming). Some examples he cites are new hydrangeas that can bloom on old and new wood—or growth, Cone Flowers, or Echinacea in gold, yellow, red and burgundy instead of the standard purple, and Coral bells with a dominant foliage feature.
Tips: “Be as simple as possible and purchase plants that aren’t going to be tricky. Make sure they are weather-appropriate,” says Hillenmeyer. “Then branch out from there.” Watch out for the “instant gratification” mistake, he says. “Do what you can to make the soil best before you plant—don’t put a $50 plant in a 50¬¢ hole. And don’t over-purchase. Work incrementally.”
Specialties: Providing quality plant materials and the information that people need to come in and be successful at gardening.
Redmond’s Garden-Landscaping
4432 Old Nicholasville Rd.
Lexington, KY 40515
(859) 272-6697
Services: Consultations in-store with DIY-ers, in-home or in-store design consultations on landscaping, retail sales of plants and garden accessories.
Gardening Must-Have: Tub Trugs. Nearly indestructible, the tub trug is large and sturdy enough to haul everything from yard toys to garden tools.
Trends: “Rock gardens,” says Redmond. “And potted plants outside, along sidewalks. Also outdoor spaces that are an extension of the house.”
What’s New: Redmond notes that a new product called “nooks and crannies” is being offered, which is a selection of plants that grow no higher than 12” high and are perfect for rock gardens. A new knockout rose will be offered this year in yellow, as well as a new honeysuckle called Edmee Gold (a ground covering honeysuckle) and a limited supply of Acer Shirazz, a Japanese Maple will be available at Redmonds.
Tips: “Consider all seasons—everyone wants color, but they don’t think about winter,” says Redmond. “Start with winter plants—evergreens that will make the house look good year-round then fill in. Also, consider the mature size of selected plants.” Redmond also notes, with the trend of outdoor living, it’s important to consider the landscaping as “an extra room—and it adds more value than it used to because so many people are into outdoor living.”
Specialties: “Hardscapes,” which includes stone work, patios, outdoor rooms and fireplaces, water features, pavers, and retaining walls. “Redmonds is the certified installer for the state of Kentucky for Belgard brand pavers and retaining wall blocks.” The elements are also used as a more creative alternative to pavement or concrete for driveways.
Landscaper’s Corner
1305 Old Frankfort Pike
Lexington, KY 40504
(859) 225-9433
Services: Provide natural and cut stone, mulch, soil, playground chips, soil conditioner and compost through retail outlet. Also supplies to contractors and will refer to DIY-ers seeking help.
Gardening Must-Have: Compost, 50/50 soil amendments (used to improve the soil in yards and beds for improved growing conditions) as well as “living mulch.”
Trends: Natural stone benches, outdoor fire pits, water features—anything, according to Pence, that “transforms the backyard.”
What’s New: Organic products have been around for awhile but Pence, who stocks the certified products, notes the trend.
Tips: “Research the products you’re buying if you’re a DIY-er,” says Pence. “There is lots of mulch that’s cheap and the components should be quality.” Pence particularly recommends natural products such as stone because they add a unique element to the design.
Specialties: “A large selection of high-quality products with affordable prices,” says Pence. Among landscaping businesses, Landscaper’s Corner also sets itself as specializing not in the plant matter, but in soil and stone accoutrements. They also offer 100 percent virgin hardwood mulch, pine straw and boulders and a large variety of color-enhanced mulch such as Bear Hollow brand, for which they are the only dealer in Lexington.